This second Review takes stock of the progress made by Serbia in the management of its environment since the country was first reviewed in 2002, when it was part of Yugoslavia. While looking closely at the implementation of the recommendations of the first Review, the report also covers seven issues of importance to Serbia concerning policymaking, planning and implementation, the financing of environmental policies and projects, the integration of environmental concerns into economic sectors, and the promotion of sustainable development.

Since the first Environmental Performance Review (EPR) in 2002, the institutional framework for environmental protection has changed significantly in the Republic of Serbia. These changes demonstrate an effort to create institutions able to implement obligations stemming from international, European Union (EU) and national commitments. After the split of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro (2006), the Republic of Serbia established an institutional structure covering all levels of public administration, including monitoring and research institutes. However, the institutional framework for environmental protection is not yet complete.